Kerala flood relief: Rahul Gandhi writes to PM Modi asking for funds

On August 12, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urged him to release sufficient funds to the Kerala government so as to help respond to the flood crisis and restore critical infrastructure in Kerala.
Gandhi said in the letter to the prime minister that the torrential rains, floods and wide-scale landslides have left behind a trail of destruction across Kerala.

He said this natural calamity has resulted in massive economic and human losses, calling it the “most severe disaster” that has struck the state in the last 50 years. “At this juncture, it is critical to acknowledge the looming humanitarian crisis facing Kerala,” he said.

He requested that the Centre should cooperate with the state government in the massive relief and rehabilitation efforts which were being done. “I request you to release sufficient funds immediately to the state government, to enable the state to respond effectively, and work towards restoring critical infrastructure,” Gandhi said in his letter to Modi.

He stated that the fishermen community was one of the worst affected and that the disaster had dealt a “deadly blow” to them right when the fishing industry is yet to recover from the adverse impact of Ocki cyclone.

Gandhi said the disaster had already claimed over 150 lives in the past month and the hilly and coastal districts of Idukki, Wayanad, Kottayam, Alapuzzha, Ernakulam and Kozhikode bore extensive damage.

The incessant rains had forced the state to open the shutters of 24 dams, and the resultant deluge is likely to cause massive destruction in downstream areas. “The widespread destruction of critical public infrastructure such as power supply lines and roads will only prolong the recovery process,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi even took to Twitter earlier in the day to urge Congress workers to “step up”.

Unprecedented rainfall has created havoc in Kerala, destroying property & forcing thousands to abandon their homes. I urge each and every Congres worker in Kerala to step up & help those in need. My prayers & thoughts are with the people of Kerala in this difficult time.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 11, 2018

Due to the heavy rains since August 8, twenty-nine people have lost their lives and over 50,000 persons have been shifted to relief camps.

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